Detachable chain



(No Model.)

J. F. MOGREARY.

DETAGHAB-LE CHAIN. No.887,890. Patented Aug. 14, 1888.

WITNESSES: NVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

FFICE.

PATENT JAMES F. MOOREARY, OF NEW BRIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

DETACHABLE CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,690, dated August 14, 1888,

Application filed April 20, 1888. Serial No. 271,271. (No model.)

To aZZ 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. llIOCREARY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Detachable Chains, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chains adapted to be used to support and connect slats or crossbars, and is particularly adapted for use in connection with animal tread-powers, such as shown in my Patent No. 373,467, dated November 22, 1887, it being employed in place of the links therein shown.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of several links when in working position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, the cross-slats being removed. Fig. 3 is a side view of two links in the position occupied when being uncoupled. Fig. 4 is a side view of two links of somewhat different construction. Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4.

The chain shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is made up of dissimilar links, represented in the drawings by the letters Aand B, respectively. The link A, to which the slat E is attached, and which may be termed a bar-link, has its ends flattened on one face and preferably expanded to form seats a a, upon which rest the slat. By preference an intermediate bearing-face, c, is formed. Between the bearingfaces the bar of which thelink is formed drops or bends downward, as at e, forming open spaces 0 between the bearing-laces and be tween the portion 0 of the link and the slat which it supports.

The link B is formed of two end bars, I) b, and two side bars, b I), inelosing a central opening, D. The side bars bow outward centrally at I), in order to give sufficient space between the bars at this point to permit the flattened ends a of the bar A to pass between them, so that the links may be coupled.

WVhcn two links are coupled together, the end bar, I), of the link B, which is by preference rounded to allow free articulation, lies upon the depressed portion 0 of the link A in the open space 0 below the cross-slat E, which serves to keep it in place. At the same time the laterally-projecting portions of the expanded end a of the link A rest upon the up per face of the side bars, b. These engagements of the links with each other lock them against downward sagging when in line to receive and sustain the animal, which is necessary in tread-powers, and yet permit them to bend in the reverse direction when going around the turning-wheels which support the tread. This effect, I am aware, is not new, being incident to the chain shown in my aforesaid patent, and I therefore lay no claim thereto broadly.

The widened portions of the opening D not only serve to permit the passage of the flattened ends of the links, but are also adapted to receive sprocket-teeth carried by a wheel either driving or to be driven by the tread.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown a chain containing my invention in which the links are all alike, and each embodies the features of both the links A and B shown in the other figures, each being provided with a central opening, D, and with side bars, d d, an end bar, (1, a depressed portion, 0, and a flattened end plate, a. The operation of the link is similar to that shown in the other figures, and hence need not be further described.

Under some circumstances the flattened ends a might not be wider than the distance between the side bars, I), where they connect with the end bars, in which case the slats E would be depended upon to prevent disengagement of the links. In such case the expanded portions Z) of the side bars might be dispensed with.

The preferred form of my invention, which is that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, is an improvement over all other forms of similar links of which I have knowledge-such, for instance, as that illustrated in my aforesaid patentin that it runs more steadily and with much less noise, and, further, that the slats are more evenly worn as they pass around the turningwheels, since by reason of the intermediate links, B, they rock upon said wheels and the points of contact or engagement change from edge to edge of the slats as they pass the wheel, whereas in prior constructions the sole point of contact with the wheel was about midway between the edges of the slats, which resulted in rapidly wearing through them at these points.

Vithout limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, I claim- 1. A detachable ehain adapted to carry crossslats, thelinks of which chain are coupled by means of flattened ends (1, passed through openings 1) formed in the adjacent links, the portions of the links adjaeentto each flattened end a being depressed, as at c, in which dopressed portions lie the said end bars,wherein they are held by the eross slats, substantially as described.

2. A detachable chain adapted to earr y eross-slats, thelinksol'which chain are coupled to each otherby means of flattened ends passed through openings 1) formed in the adjacent links,whicl1 openings are bounded by the side bars, I), and the end bars, I), the flattened ends being expanded to a width greater than the distance between the side bars, I). at points adjacent to the end bars, upon which sidebars the flattened ends a rest when the links are coupled, the links having depressed portions 0 adjacent to the ends a, in which depressed portions the end bars rest, and wherein they are held by the cross-slats, substantially as described.

3. A detachable chain formed of bar-links having flattened ends adapted to have cross slats secured thereto, the bars being depressed between the ends to form open spaces below the slats, and of centrallyopen links having end bars, b, adapted to lie in the open spaces adjacent to the ends of the bar-links, substantiall y as described.

41-. A detachable chain formed of bar-links having flattened expanded ends (1, adapted to have erossslats secured thereto, and centrallyopen links having end bars, I), and side bars, I), situated at a distance apart less than the width of the expanded ends of the bar-links at points adjacent to the end bars, but bowed outward centrally at I) to permit the passage of the expanded ends a between them, substantially as described.

A detachable chain formed of bar-links having flattened end bearing-faces, a, and intermediate bearing-faces, a, suchbearing-faces being connected by depressed portions 0 of the links, and ceutrallyopen linkshaving the end bars, I), and the side bars centrally bowed out v ward, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofIhave signed my name to this specification in the presence 01' two subscribing witnesses.

J'AlliIES F. llIcCREARY.

Witnesses:

TURNER S'rnocmnon, J. W. SWOGER. 

